Shaped charge liner with multi-material particles

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a liner for a shaped charge. The liner includes reactive particles, each having two reactive materials which together are capable of undergoing an exothermic and/or intermetallic reaction. Additionally, embodiments may include non-reactive particles, which typically have a higher density than the reactive particles. The reactive particles may be configured to produce an exothermic reaction upon detonation of the shaped charge. In some embodiments, one of the reactive materials may be coated onto a core of the other reactive material, to form the reactive particle. In other embodiments, each reactive particle may be formed as a conglomerate of the two reactive materials. Shaped charges having liners and methods of formation are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liner for a shaped charge, comprising:
 a plurality of non-reactive particles; and   a plurality of reactive particles configured to produce an exothermic reaction upon detonation of the shaped charge, wherein:   the reactive particles each comprise two reactive materials which together are capable of undergoing an exothermic or intermetallic reaction; and   the reactive particles are substantially free of any non-reactive material.   
     
     
         2 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the non-reactive particles each comprise non-reactive material, and the non-reactive material consists essentially of material that does not react with one or both of the reactive materials in a primary exothermic or intermetallic reaction. 
     
     
         3 . The liner of  claim 2 , wherein the non-reactive material is denser than the reactive materials. 
     
     
         4 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the non-reactive particles consist essentially of non-reactive material. 
     
     
         5 . The liner of  claim 2 , wherein substantially all of the non-reactive material of the liner is disposed in the non-reactive particles. 
     
     
         6 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive particles consist essentially of the two reactive materials. 
     
     
         7 . The liner of  claim 2 , wherein the reactive particles further comprise an inert material; wherein the inert material of the reactive particles is capable of reacting with the rock formation, but is not capable of interacting in a primary exothermic or intermetallic reaction with one or both of the reactive materials of the reactive particles; and wherein the inert material is less dense than the non-reactive material. 
     
     
         8 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive particles each comprise a conglomerate of the two reactive materials. 
     
     
         9 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive particles each comprise a core of a first of the two reactive materials, which is coated with a second of the two reactive materials. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a liner for a shaped charge, comprising the steps of:
 providing reactive particles, the reactive particles each including two reactive materials;   providing non-reactive particles;   mixing the reactive particles and non-reactive particles to form a liner powder;   compressing the liner powder; and   shaping the liner powder into the liner configured to fit within a case for the shaped charge; wherein:   the two reactive materials together are capable of undergoing an exothermic or intermetallic reaction; and   the reactive particles are substantially free of any non-reactive material.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the non-reactive material consists essentially of material that does not react with one or both of the reactive materials in a primary exothermic or intermetallic reaction. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the reactive particles each comprise a conglomerate of the two reactive materials, and wherein forming the reactive particles comprises forming the two reactive materials into conglomerate particles. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the reactive particles each comprise a core of a first of the two reactive materials, which is coated with a second of the two reactive materials; and wherein forming the reactive particles comprises providing the core of the first of the two reactive materials, and coating the core with the second of the two reactive materials. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a binder material, wherein mixing the reactive particles and non-reactive particles to form a liner powder further comprises mixing the reactive particles, the non-reactive particles, and the binder material to form the liner powder. 
     
     
         15 . A liner for a shaped charge, comprising:
 a plurality of non-reactive particles each comprising non-reactive material; and   a plurality of reactive particles configured to produce an exothermic intermetallic reaction upon detonation of the shaped charge, wherein:   the reactive particles each comprise aluminum and nickel; and   the reactive particles each comprise: a conglomerate of the aluminum and nickel, or a core of a first one of the aluminum and nickel, which is coated with a second one of the aluminum and nickel.   
     
     
         16 . The liner of  claim 15 , wherein the reactive particles each comprise the core of aluminum coated with a coating of nickel. 
     
     
         17 . The liner of  claim 15 , wherein the reactive particles are substantially free of non-reactive material. 
     
     
         18 . The liner of  claim 15 , wherein the non-reactive particles consist essentially of non-reactive material. 
     
     
         19 . The liner of  claim 15 , wherein substantially all of the non-reactive material of the liner is disposed in the non-reactive particles. 
     
     
         20 . The liner of  claim 15 , wherein the reactive particles each further comprise chromium.